Florida in December surprises people in both directions.
Visitors from cold northern climates pack light, expecting summer, and find themselves chilly on an outdoor terrace at 9pm in Miami. Visitors who pack too conservatively, hedging against cold, spend the week in clothes that are too heavy for 78 degrees and direct sun.
The reality of Florida in December is specific: warm days, mild evenings, low humidity compared to summer, and the occasional cold front that drops temperatures into the 60s for a day or two. The Atlantic coast runs warmer than the Gulf coast in December. South Florida — Miami, the Keys, Palm Beach — is consistently warmer than Central and North Florida, where December nights can be genuinely cool.
Pack for all of it and you'll overpack. Pack for the average day and you'll be right 85% of the time.
What December Actually Feels Like in Florida
South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Palm Beach): Average daytime highs in the low-to-mid 80s. Evenings drop to the low 70s. Swimming is comfortable — water temperatures stay around 76–78°F through December. This is Florida's peak season for a reason: the weather is as close to perfect as it gets. Pack for a warm spring day in most of the country, with one layer for evenings.
The Florida Keys: Similar to South Florida but more consistent. The Keys sit surrounded by water on both sides, which moderates temperature. December is genuinely one of the best months to be there — the summer crowds are gone, the humidity is low, and the water is clear. What you wear to the Keys in December is essentially what you'd wear in the Bahamas.
Tampa / Sarasota / Gulf Coast: Slightly cooler than Miami but still mild. Daytime highs in the mid-70s, evenings in the 60s. Gulf water temperatures drop faster than the Atlantic — swimming is still possible but less inviting by late December. Pack one more layer than you'd bring to Miami.
Orlando: Not primarily a beach destination, but people arriving for theme parks and daytrips are often surprised by December temperatures. Highs in the low 70s, evenings in the mid-50s. Bring a light jacket for evenings and early mornings. Not swimwear weather unless you're at a heated resort pool.
What to Pack: Men
Swim Trunks — Yes, Pack Them
In South Florida and the Keys, December is still swimming weather. Water temperatures hover around 76–78°F through the month — comfortable for swimming, especially on a 80-degree afternoon. If you're going anywhere south of Orlando, swim trunks belong in the bag.
Le Club Original's swim trunks ($89–95) — 92% recycled polyester, quick-dry — are exactly right for December in South Florida. A day at South Beach or the Keys is still a beach day in December. Don't leave them out because the calendar says winter.
Linen Shirts — The Core of the Florida December Wardrobe
December in South Florida is the best time of year for linen. The humidity that makes thick fabrics uncomfortable in August is mostly gone. A linen shirt in the morning feels comfortable rather than sticky. It layers over a t-shirt easily on a cooler evening.
Two or three linen shirts covers most of a Florida December trip. The Classic Italian Linen Shirt in Light Blue or White is the cleaner, more versatile option. The Peter in a bolder color — Aqua, Mint, Sage — works for the South Florida aesthetic, where December evenings at outdoor restaurants have their own visual language.
One Oxford Cotton Shirt
For evenings at nicer restaurants, a rooftop bar in Miami, or a beach club with a dress code. The Oxford Cotton Shirt ($99) handles the slight formality that South Florida's better venues ask for in a way that linen doesn't always deliver.
One Light Layer
The cold front that drops Miami to 65 degrees is rare in December but not impossible. More commonly, air conditioning — in restaurants, in Ubers, in every indoor space in Florida — is aggressive enough to warrant a layer. A lightweight cotton jacket, an unlined linen overshirt, or even a long-sleeve shirt that folds flat in your bag handles both scenarios.
What to Pack: Women
Swimwear
Same logic as men — South Florida and the Keys in December are still swimming destinations. Two swimsuits for rotation. If you're going to Orlando or the Gulf Coast in late December, a one-piece or a swimsuit you're comfortable in at a heated resort pool is the practical choice.
Light Dresses and Coverups
Florida's December wardrobe for women is built around lightweight dresses that work from a beach lunch to an outdoor dinner. The same piece that covers your swimsuit during the day can work for a casual evening out. The warmer Miami winters mean most dinners happen on outdoor terraces — you're rarely in the air conditioning long enough to need a heavy layer.
One Evening Option
South Florida in December is a social destination. There will be at least one dinner or outing worth dressing intentionally for. One dress — not beachwear, but not a gown — handles the nicest thing on most itineraries.
By Destination: What to Emphasize
Miami / South Beach: Pack fashion-forward. South Beach has a specific aesthetic — colorful, warm, confidently dressed. Bring your bolder linen shirt colors. Evenings on Lincoln Road or Brickell call for the Oxford cotton or a linen shirt fully buttoned.
The Florida Keys: Pack for the water. You'll spend most of your time on it or near it. Boat days, snorkeling, sunset catamaran cruises — see the boat day guide for what that wardrobe looks like.
Palm Beach: The most conservative Florida aesthetic. Whites, pastels, classic coastal. The Oxford Cotton Shirt in White over clean trunks is the Palm Beach look precisely.
Fort Lauderdale / Boca Raton: Similar to Miami but slightly more relaxed. Linen shirts and trunks work everywhere.
The Packing Checklist: Florida in December
☐ Swimwear
- ☐ Swim trunks / swimsuit #1
- ☐ Swim trunks / swimsuit #2
- ☐ One-piece (women — for active water days)
☐ Tops
- ☐ Linen shirt #1 (light color — white, light blue)
- ☐ Linen shirt #2 (optional second color)
- ☐ Oxford cotton shirt (for evenings and dressed-up moments)
- ☐ Light layer (long-sleeve shirt, unlined jacket, or cotton overshirt for evenings and air conditioning)
- ☐ T-shirts or casual tops (2–3, for daytime)
☐ Bottoms
- ☐ Lightweight shorts or linen trousers (men, for non-beach days)
- ☐ Casual dress or coverup (women)
- ☐ Evening dress (women)
☐ Footwear
- ☐ Sandals that can get wet
- ☐ Loafers or leather sandals (evenings)
- ☐ Sneakers (optional — for theme parks, day trips, or walking days)
☐ Sun
- ☐ Sunscreen — Florida December sun is stronger than it feels
- ☐ Sunglasses
- ☐ Hat
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Florida in December? South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, the Keys) averages daytime highs in the low-to-mid 80s°F in December, with evenings dropping to the low 70s. It's Florida's peak tourist season — lower humidity than summer, warm enough to swim, and almost no rain. Central and North Florida run 10–15 degrees cooler. Cold fronts occasionally push temperatures into the 60s for a day or two but rarely last.
Can you swim in Florida in December? Yes, in South Florida and the Florida Keys. Atlantic water temperatures stay around 76–78°F through December — comfortable for swimming on a warm day. The Gulf Coast runs slightly cooler by late December. If you're going to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or the Keys, pack swim trunks. If you're going to Tampa or the Panhandle, the water will be cooler.
What should I pack for Miami in December? For Miami in December: swim trunks or swimsuit, two to three lightweight shirts (linen or Oxford cotton), one slightly dressed-up option for evenings, flat sandals for the beach, and loafers for dinners and beach clubs. One thin layer for air conditioning and the occasional cool evening. Light colors photograph well in Miami's outdoor settings. You don't need a heavy jacket — a lightweight cotton jacket is enough for the rare cold night.
Is December a good time to visit Florida? December is one of the best months to visit South Florida. The summer heat and humidity are gone, the rain is minimal, and the water is still warm enough to swim. It's the beginning of peak season — restaurants are open, events are happening, and the beaches are busy but not overwhelmed the way they are in February and March. If you're going to Florida to be outdoors and near the water, December is an excellent time to go.
What do people wear in Miami in December? Miami in December has its own aesthetic: colorful resort wear, linen shirts, tailored swim trunks, and confidently chosen outfits for outdoor evenings. It's not the conservative beach town wardrobe of Palm Beach or the casual Keys vibe. People dress for the season in Miami — expect to see linen shirts in bold colors, well-fitted trunks, and at nicer venues, Oxford cotton shirts with loafers. Light layers for air-conditioned restaurants.
Do I need a jacket for Florida in December? In South Florida, a light jacket is useful primarily for air-conditioned restaurants and the occasional cool evening — not for outdoor warmth. A lightweight cotton or unlined jacket that folds into your bag handles both situations without taking up space. In Central and North Florida, a proper light jacket is worth packing for evenings.
Le Club Original is based in South Florida — our swim trunks, Italian linen shirts, and Oxford cotton shirts are designed for exactly this climate and this season. Shop the full collection and women's swimwear. Free domestic shipping on orders over $50.